When I published in my book, SuperSized Kids: How to protect your child from the obesity threat, and on my SuperSized Kids Website, it shocked many parents to learn that helping their kids consistently get a good night’s sleep helps protect children from becoming obese. Now, a new study, published Monday, confirms what I have said and other studies have shown.

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As I point out in my book, SuperSized Kids: How To Protect Your Child from the Obesity Threat, and on my SuperSized Kids Website, many parents overlook their child’s unhealthy weight because they believe it is normal, research suggests. Now, another study proves my point.

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Three-quarters of middle schools have vending machines where snacks and sugared drinks are sold, a new study finds. The research demonstrates that there are vending machines in most middle schools, and “that those vending machines don’t always have the healthiest choices,” said study author Amy Virus, a registered dietitian with the Center for Obesity Research and Education at Temple University in Philadelphia.

My Take?

Reuters Health is reporting that most parents find it acceptable to be told about their child’s weight status, and the feedback has “minimal” adverse effects for most families, according to researchers from the UK.

My Take?

Reuters Health  is reporting a new study suggesting that children who regularly exercise and limit their time in front of the TV and computer are much less likely to be overweight or obese.

My Take?

Reuters is reporting a study of childhood obesity in which University of Toronto nutritionist Harvey Anderson found that kids who watched TV while eating lunch took in 228 extra calories than those who ate without the television on. “One of Anderson’s conclusions is that eating while watching television overrides our ability to know when to stop eating,” the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, which funded the study, said on Tuesday.

My Take?

Reuters Health is reporting a study in which researchers found that when they had 30 young women eat a lunch of pasta, tomatoes, and cheese, the diners consumed an average of 70 fewer calories when they ate the meal slowly and chewed the food thoroughly. The findings give scientific support to a long recommended weight-control tactic, the researchers report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

 My Take?

Reuters Health is reporting that the current epidemic of childhood obesity is going to lead to an epidemic of young adults with type 2 diabetes. Ultimately, this may lead to shorter life spans.

My Take?

Reuters Health is reporting on a UK study that suggests health experts generally recommend that children get at least one hour of moderate exercise each day. However, the study says this may not be enough to counter the problem of childhood obesity.

My Take?

Reuters Health is reporting a new program developed by the U.S. government that is tackling the obesity epidemic by helping “tween” girls and their parents make small but important changes to build a healthier lifestyle.

My Take?

WebMD is reporting findings by University of Miami researchers showing that by age 12 to 14, half of obese children have metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors that predicts heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Even at ages 8 to 11, as many as 9.5% of obese children already have metabolic syndrome. That means they have at least three of these risk factors: abnormally large waist size, high blood-sugar levels, low levels of HDL “good” cholesterol, high blood fat levels, and high blood pressure .

My Take?

Here are my takes on some of today’s health headlines.

If Dad is not involved in child care, can we blame the mom?